《智慧书·第二辑·五一至一百》第28则
The Art of undertaking Things. Fools rush in through the door; for folly is always bold. The same simplicity which robs them of all attention to precautions deprives them of all sense of shame at failure. But prudence enters with more deliberation. Its forerunners are caution and care; they advance and discover whether you can also advance without danger. Every rush forward is freed from danger by caution, while fortune sometimes helps in such cases. Step cautiously where you suspect depth. Sagacity goes cautiously forward while precaution covers the ground. Nowadays there are unsuspected depths in human intercourse, you must therefore cast the lead at every step.
注释摘要
这一则格言的英文版虽然流畅，但遗漏了西班牙原文中一个很关键的空间比喻。标题“undertaking Things”对应的是 emprender las cosas，核心不在承担某事的结果，而在“如何着手、如何进入一件事”。正文开篇的“愚人从门里直闯进去”保留了原文意象：por la puerta se entran，直译就是“从门进去”。对葛拉西安来说，这…